On October 27th 2023, Police officers at Warwick Services stopped both Akelle Charles and Ricardo Thomas as they were on their way to London from Wolverhampton via the M40 at around 21:00PM. Charles 33, a member of the popular British R&B group WSTRN who rose to fame with their break out smash hit, In2, and Thomas 33, were arrested and found with a loaded pistol which West Midlands Police stated that it had 15 rounds of ammunition.

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The Police went on further to find a black Nike bag in the boot of the car along with gloves and a sinister clown mask. The car in question which the pair drove was also found to be a rental in another persons name during the stop.

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From further investigations completed by police and proven forensic analysis, the weapon was found to be linked to bullet cases left at the scene of a shooting in London a month prior. Messages recovered from Mr Charles, and Mr Thomas’s phones also suggested that both had heavy involvement and knowledge of the firearms. Charles and Thomas were both arrested at Birmingham Crown Court where they both admitted to the possession of a firearm and ammunition.

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Charles was jailed and sentenced to six years and nine months, and Thomas was jailed and sentenced to eight years. 

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